Double D’s: Dedication and Determination

Dedication and determination. The dictionary has multiple definitions for these two words. To be dedicated is to devote oneself or the act of devoting oneself. To be determined is to have firmness of purpose. To be able to excel in a competitive sport, it takes the “Double D’s”: dedication and determination.

The Double D’s can help explain why the football player endures brutal pre-season practices in one hundred degree heat; why the basketball player takes hundreds of practice free throw shots; why the baseball/softball player constantly strives for the perfect pitch; and why the swimmer swims 8,000 yards, rain or shine, to improve times.

While it is true (I believe) that some people are naturally athletically gifted, one might ask themself, “Where would Michael Jordan,

*provided by google images

Michael Phelps, Venus and Serena Williams, David Beckham, and many, many, other successful athletes in history be without dedication and determination.” It is not enough to just want to win. Even the athletes mentioned above have suffered losses to their opponents. But what didn’t kill them made them stronger. Sometimes it seems like there is single-mindedness in our society that says, “Win. Winning is everything.” Well, I would like to recount a couple of stories about real people that exemplify what dedication and determination truly means.

On December 31, 2009, less than two months before the 2010 winter Olympics, a young man named Kevin Pearce was a promising contender to upset Shawn White in snowboarding. That day, he suffered a traumatic brain injury during a practice run.  At the time, not only was there the question of him ever regaining consciousness but also the question of whether or not he would even live. Well, last month, two years after the tragic accident that almost ended his life, Kevin got back on his board. While in the past Kevin’s dedication and determination was directed towards the goal of Olympic gold, today, just being able to ride at all, is his victory. He was quoted as saying, “It’s nice to be able to jump back on the board and still have it.” (People magazine, Jan 2012)

Another outstanding example of the Double D’s is a young girl named Bethany Hamilton.  In October of 2003, when she was just 13 years old, Bethany was surfing when she was attacked by a tiger shark.  The attack resulted in Bethany losing her left arm just below the shoulder.  Her story made the news worldwide and in 2011 the movie Soul Surfer, based on her 2004 autobiography, came out in theaters.  To me, the truly remarkable thing is that less than one month after the attack, Bethany returned to the water and eventually began surfing competitively again.  Not only did she compete, but she started winning.  She is really an inspiration and an excellent example of being totally dedicated and determined.

My personal experiences with dedication and determination have come from my past seven years in competitive swim. The dedication and determination evolved over time. Everyone has different motivations and goals, and with the double D’s, the possibilities are endless.